The Fundação Arte e Cultura is guided by values that are simple yet deeply rooted in its identity and mission: Diversity, Inclusion, Freedom of Thought, Identity, and Empowerment. These principles shape the institution’s daily work and serve as the foundation for annually recognizing the collaborators who best embody the spirit that drives the organization.This year, the Excellence Award 2025 is presented to Josué Kuzola and Milton Brandão Tito, two professionals whose dedication, ethics, commitment, and humanity elevate the purpose of the Fundação.

Josué António Kuzola – Excellence in Conduct and Human Values

Josué Kuzola, financial administrative assistant, stands out for his humility, honesty, and remarkable personal and professional growth.

His childhood was marked by deep adversities that shaped his resilient character. After the tragic loss of his mother, a victim of domestic violence, and the imprisonment of his father, Josué and his two siblings spent weeks living on the streets in extreme vulnerability. At only eight years old, they were rescued by the police and taken to Lar Kuzola, during a period of transformation influenced by the support of the Lwini Foundation.

At 19, he joined the Caminho do Bem Project at the Fundação Arte e Cultura — a decisive step toward his independence. He completed secondary school in Accounting and Management and participated in intensive vocational training in Accounting and Mechanics. Driven by a strong desire to grow, he also began pursuing higher education.

In 2024, he achieved a significant milestone: he became an assistant accountant at the Fundação Arte e Cultura. Since then, he has played an essential role in the institution’s financial management, consistently demonstrating commitment, organization, integrity, and exceptional responsibility. He is admired for the trust he inspires in the team and for his continuous pursuit of technical and personal development.

Milton Brandão Tito – Excellence in Humanism and Dedication

Milton Tito’s path at the Fundação Arte e Cultura is characterized by deep human commitment, professional ethics, and a level of dedication that inspires everyone around him.

He joined the institution in September 2022 as a volunteer in the Music in the Street Project (Música na Rua). From the very beginning, he stood out for his sensitivity, natural leadership, and ability to build meaningful human connections. He facilitated group dynamics, led workshops, and supported beneficiaries referred to care shelters, always with empathy and a profound sense of responsibility.

His contributions extended across several key programs of the Fundação:

  • Costura para Todos (Sewing for All) – supporting participants with patience, rigor, and care;
  • Alfabetizar Ilha – assisting in classes, participating in visits, and engaging in extracurricular activities with enthusiasm;
  • Caminho do Bem – contributing to the redesign of the training programme, mentoring youth from shelters, and producing detailed reports that strengthened their development.

Over time, Milton expanded his skills and began supporting activities at the Fundação’s Gallery, under the guidance of Xavier Narciso. He now takes on responsibilities in exhibition organization — including scheduling, liaising with artists, and coordinating installations — demonstrating growing autonomy, aesthetic sensitivity, and professionalism.

Beyond his technical abilities, Milton is recognized for what is most valuable: his character. He is always willing to support any area of the institution, regardless of the task’s complexity. His humility, teamwork spirit, and calm presence in the face of challenges make him an indispensable member of the Fundação Arte e Cultura.